Glenn Plummer Joins Mayor Bing, County Executive Patterson for Regional Unity in Southeast Michigan

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May 13, 2010, 10:28 ET

Congressional Candidate Speaks, Leads Unity Prayer at Tree of Life Awards Dinner

BIRMINGHAM, Mich., May 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- An awards dinner honoring the mayor of Detroit and the elected leader of its wealthiest group of suburbs symbolized the regional unity that is essential for the economic growth and civic progress of Southeast Michigan, according to U.S. Congressional candidate Glenn Plummer, who made remarks and led a unity prayer at the event.

"There are three primary divisions in Greater Detroit and Southeast Michigan," Plummer said. "Divisions that are based on east and west, Detroit and its suburbs, and black and white continue to polarize and separate us." Making reference to Detroit Mayor Dave Bing and Oakland County Executive Brooks Patterson, Plummer noted: "Because these two men symbolize the differences in our region, they also represent what can be our strength – the diversity of talent and ingenuity we possess."

Both Bing and Patterson were honored with Tree of Life awards by the Jewish National Fund (JNF), at its annual Tree of Life dinner held at The Townsend Hotel in suburban Detroit. JNF is a nonprofit organization established to invest in land in the state of Israel, where it has planted trees, built dams and reservoirs, and established parks.

Noting that JNF has long understood the importance of sowing seeds, Plummer said: "Tonight represents the planting of a new seed between east and west; city and suburb; Wayne and Oakland counties; black and white. The only way we're going to get out of this mess is for us to work together."

Plummer, a television broadcasting entrepreneur and Detroit-area pastor, is challenging incumbent Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick for election to Congress from Michigan's 13th Congressional District. Plummer is chairman and CEO of the Detroit-based Christian Television Network – which he founded in 1982 -- and owner of its flagship station, WLPC-TV (Channel 26) in Detroit. Plummer is also founder and senior pastor of Ambassadors for Christ Church in Redford Township, Mich.

Plummer has engaged in international relations as president of the Fellowship of Israel and Black America (FIBA). FIBA encourages the strengthening of traditionally close ties between African Americans and American Jews, and seeks improved dialogue between Black America and the state of Israel.